Filler for nozzle type centrifugal separator

ABSTRACT

A filler unit for a centrifuge having discharge nozzles for the specifically heavier material, to counteract the tendency of that material to collect on the inner wall of the drum between the discharge nozzles. The filler unit is a one piece assembly of a ring having openings for registering with the discharge nozzles, a lower and upper annular plate covering, respectively, a portion of the lower and upper inner drum surfaces, and filler members between the openings in the ring. Those members are joined together by closed seams resulting, for example, from welding. Use of the fillers facilitates chemical cleaning of the drum.

United States Patent 1 1111 3,902,661

Meis et al. Sept. 2, 1975 FILLER FOR NOZZLE TYPE 3,111,490 11/1963 Halbach 233/28 X CENTRIFUGAL SEPARATOR 3,341,093 9/1967 Putterlik 233/20 R [75] Inventors: Karl Meis, Oelde; Helmut Bucker, FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Diestedde, both Of Germany 365,450 1/1932 United Kingdom 233/20 R [73] Assignee: g i g Oelde Primary ExaminerGeorge H. Krizmanich estp ermany Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Burgess, Dinklage & [22] Filed: Mar. 6, 1974 pru g [21] Appl. No.: 448,586 [57] ABSTRACT A filler unit for a centrifuge having discharge nozzles [30] Foreign Application Priority Data for the specifically heavier material, to counteract the Mar. 9, 1973 Germany 2311681 n n y f h m terial to collect on the inner wall of the drum between the discharge nozzles. The filler [52] US. Cl. 233/27 unit is a one piece assembly of a ring having openings [51] lm. Cl. B04B 1/04; B04B 15/06 f r r g g t the discharge nozzles, 11 lower and [5 8] Field of Search 233/1 R, 1 A, 1 E, 20 R, pp r nn l r pl ring, r p i ly, a p r ion 233/20 A, 27, 28, 29 of the lower and upper inner drum surfaces, and filler members between the openings in the ring. Those [56] References Cited members are joined together by closed seams result- UNITED STATES PATENTS ing, for example, from welding. Use of the fillers facili- 668,744 2 1901 Adams 233/27 x mes chemcal cleamng of the drum 2,l73,580 9/1939 Fawcett 233/27 X 12 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures 12 l i Z 9 1 2 I 7 4 I 3 I I l I ,3 l 1 5 l i 2t 1 I1 1 1 lo l 5 BACKGROUND.

The invention relates to a centrifugal separator drum for the concentration of suspended solids, the outer periphery of which is provided with a plurality of apertures uniformly distributed over itscircumference, into which replaceable nozzle bodies of various bore sizes or sealing plugs may be inserted. In this manner it is possible to operate the same drum with various numbers of nozzles. During operation the specifically heavier solids emerge with part of the carrier fluid continuously through the nozzles.

Due to the centrifugal force acting radially out wardly, the solids impringing upon the drum periphery in the area between the nozzles are unable to get to the ejection nozzles and they remain adhering to the drum periphery and build up in a wedge-shaped accumula' tions towards the axis of rotation. At the end of the centrifuging operation it used to be necessary to'stop the drum and clean it out by hand.

To eliminate thetime-consuming opening and cleaning of the drum, fillers have been developed which are inserted singly into the drum and fill the space which otherwise the wedges of solids would occupy. Such a filler is known, for example, from German Petty Pat. No. 1,831,983. I

Fillers which are inserted loosely cannot lie absolutely tightly against the drum periphery. It is inevitable, then, that solids will penetrate into the fine interstices between the filler and the drum periphery and be held there. Seamless cementing into the drum is very difficult, aside from the fact that the filler would have to be broken out again if it were necessary to operate the drum with a different number of nozzles.

There is an increasing tendency in recent times to clean centrifugal drums with an alkaline or' acid cleaning solution while they are running. In the case of nozzle-type drums using the conventional fillers, however, it is not possible to rinse out of the drum the solids which have lodged behind'them or the solution into which they have entered with the cleaning agent. This is especially disadvantageous whenever'materials containing solids capable of spoiling, such as albumin, for example, have been centrifuged.

THE INv NTIoN a casting composition or to mechanically reinforce the sheet steel parts in relation to the support.

Since the natural slope angle of a solid concentrate diminishes as the concentration diminishes, the fillers need have only a very slight angle of inclination if flushcleaning is used.

Thus, the invention provides a removable filler unit for a centrifugal separator comprising a rotatably mounted separator drum including a lower body member and'an upper body member which are releasably secured together, and having dlischarge passageways at the radially outward periphery thereof, at circumferentially spaced intervals. The filler unit is for counteracting tendency of material to collect on the inner wall of the drum between the discharge passageways. The filler unit comprises a ring for disposition in the drum along the radially .outward periphery thereof, and having openings therein for communication with at least some of the discharge. passageways. The filler unit further comprises a lower-annular plate for conforming to an outer portion of the inner surface of .the lower body member and for being laid up directly on said outer portion. The annular plate is joined to the ring by a closed seam, as results, for example by welding. Similarly, the filler unit comprises an upper annular plate for conforming to an outer portion of the inner surface of the upper body member, for being laid up directly on the last mentioned outer portion. Again, the upper annular plate is joined to the ring; by a closed seam. Filler members are disposed between adjacent openings in the ring, and the filler members are joined'to the ring and the lower and upper annular plates by closed seams. The filler members are contoured to guide material to the openings in the ring.

Seals are provided between the inner edges of the lower and upper annular plates and the inner surfaces of the lower and upper body members. The sealing members can be rubber rings permanently mounted on either the drum or the filler unit. Enclosed spaces within the filler unitbetween the openings in the ring are defined by the filler members, ring, and lower and upper annular plates. Those spaces can be filled with a suitable filling material.

THE DRAWINGS i tory embodiment of the invention:

that a perfect chemical cleaning will be possible with the drum rotating.

The invention is characterizedin thatthe fillers are assembled seamlessly into a replaceable insert with an annular support which is matched to the conicity of the upper and lower parts of the drum, its inner margins FIG. 1 shows the right half of a cross section of the upright drum; and

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on line IIII of FIG; 1.

Referring to the drawings, a rotatably mounted separator drum 12 includes lower body member 1 and upper body member 2. Those parts are releasably secured together by the ring 13, and have discharge passageways outfitted with nozzles 3, at circumferentially spaced intervals .about the radially outward periphery of the drum. In the embodiment illustrated, there are four nozzles 3 (FIG. 2).

The? concentrate'continuously emerges through the bores 3a of nozzles 3. The filler unit is.a replaceable one piece unit composed of filler members 4 having an annular support comprising a cylindrical ring 5 and two truncoconical plates 6 and 7 matching the conicity of -.the lower and upper body members of the drum. The

ring 5, and lower and upper annular plates 6 and 7 are best made of steel and strongly welded together. The

inner edges 6a and 7u of plates 6 and 7 are sealed by means of a sealing rings 8 and 9, respectively, against the inner surface la of lower body member 1 and the inner surface 2a of upper body member 2 of the drum so that none of the liquid being centrifuged can penetrate behind the support. Similarly, there are'closed seams 6b and 7b between the outer edges of, respectively, plates 6 and 7 and ring 5.

The filler members 4 consist in this embodiment also of sheet steel and are welded to the support formed by the cylindrical ring 5 and trunoconical plates 6 and 7. The spaces or cavities defined by the filler members 4, plates 6 and 7 and ring 5 are filled with a filling material or casting composition 10 which can be a plastic such as polyurethane or polystyrene foam. The ring 5 is provided with a number of openings or bores 11 corresponding to the number of nozzles, the nozzle bodies 3 extending sealingly into the said bores.

The support composed of ring 5 and plates 6 and 7 bearing the filler members 4 is inserted into the drum from the top. A register is mounted on the filler unit and complimenting means are mounted on the drum for cooperation with the register to facilitate accurate assembly. Thus, one or more locating pins 12 mounted on the filler unit are received by recesses in the drum to hold the filler unit in the correct position. Then the nozzle bodies 3 are threaded into the drum periphery from the inside or from the outside.

The lower and upper annular plates 6 and 7 conform, respectively, to outer portions of the inner surfaces la and 2a of the lower and upper body members 1 and 2, and the annular plates are laid up directly on the outer portions of the inner surfaces of the body members, so that there is no space between the filler unit and the walls of the drum for entrapment of material where it is inaccessible during cleaning.

For the alternative operation of the same drum with a different number of nozzles, appropriate inserts must be kept on hand.

In the drum of the invention solids are no longer able to become lodged so that chemical cleaning is possible while it is in rotation.

What is claimed is:

l. A removable one piece filler unit for a centrifugal separator comprising a rotatably mounted separator drum including a lower body member and an upper body member which are releasably secured together, and having discharge passageways at the radially outward periphery thereof at circumferentially spaced intervals, the filler unit being for counteracting tendency of material to collect on the inner wall of the drum between the discharge passageways, the filler unit comprising:

a. a ring for disposition in the drum along said radially outward periphery and having openings therein for communication with at least some of said discharge passageways,

b. a lower annular plate for conforming to an outer portion of the inner surface of the lower body member and for being laid up directly on said outer portion, the lower annular plate being joined to the ring by a closed seam,

c. an upper annular plate for conforming to an outer portion of the inner surface of the upper body member and for being laid up directly on the last mentioned outer portion, the upper annular plate being joined to the ring by a closed seam, and

d. filler members disposed between adjacent openings in the ring, joined to the ring and the lower and upper annular plates by closed seams, for guiding material to the openings in the ring.

2. A filler unit according to claim 1, the filler members, ring, and lower and upper annular plates defining enclosed spaces within the filler unit between the openings in the ring, and a filling material filling said spaces.

3. A filler unit according to claim 1, the filler unit comprising a register for complimenting means disposed on the drum for cooperation therewith to accurately place the filler unit in the drum.

4. A filler unit according to claim 2, the tiller unit comprising a register for complimenting means disposed on the drum for cooperation therewith to accurately place the filler unit in the drum.

5. A filler unit according to claim 1, and means for sealing the filler unit in the drum disposed along the inner edges of the lower and upper annular plates.

6. A filler unit according to claim 2, and means for sealing the filler unit in the drum disposed along the inner edges of the lower and upper annular plates.

7. A filler unit according to claim 3, and means for sealing the filler unit in the drum disposed along the inner edges of the lower and upper annular plates.

8. A filler unit according to claim 4, and means for sealing the filler unit in the drum disposed along the river edges of the lower and upper annular plates.

9. In a centrifugal separator comprising:

a. a rotatably mounted separator drum including a lower body member and an upper body member which are releasably secured together, and having discharge passageways at the radially outward periphery thereof at circumferentially spaced intervals, at least some of said discharge passageways having discharge nozzles mounted therein the improvement which comprises a removable one piece filler unit for counteracting tendency of material to collect on the inner wall of the drum between the discharge passageways, the filler unit comprising:

b. a ring disposed in the drum along said radially outward periphery, having openings therein in communicating with said discharge nozzles, said nozzles extending sealingly into said bores,

c. a lower annular plate conforming to an outer portion of the inner surface of the lower body laid up directly on said outer portion and joined to the ring by a closed seam,

. a seal between the inner edge of the lower annular plate and the inner surface of the lower body member,

e. an upper annular plate conforming to an outer portion of the inner surface of the upper body member laid up directly on the last mentioned outer portion and joined to the ring by a closed seam,

f. a seal between the inner edge of the upper annular plate and the inner surface of the upper body member,

g. filler members disposed between adjacent openings in the ring joined to the ring and the lower and upper annular plates by closed seams, for guiding material to the openings in the ring.

10. Centrifugal separator according to claim 9, the filler members. ring, and lower and upper annular plates defining enclosed spaces within the filler unit between the openings in the ring, and a filling material filling said spaces.

filler unit comprising a register, the drum having means complimenting the register, the register and complimenting means cooperating to accurately place the filler unit in the drum. 

1. A removable one piece filler unit for a centrifugal separator comprising a rotatably mounted separator drum including a lower body member and an upper body member which are releasably secured together, and having discharge passageways at the radially outward periphery thereof at circumferentially spaced intervals, the filler unit being for counteracting tendency of material to collect on the inner wall of the drum between the discharge passageways, the filler unit comprising: a. a ring for disposition in the drum along said radially outward periphery and having openings therein for communication with at least some of said discharge passageways, b. a lower annular plate for conforming to an outer portion of the inner surface of the lower body member and for being laid up directly on said outer portion, the lower annular plate being joined to the ring by a closed seam, c. an upper annular plate for conforming to an outer portion of the inner surface of the upper body member and for being laid up directly on the last mentioned outer portion, the upper annular plate being joined to the ring by a closed seam, and d. filler members disposed between adjacent openings in the ring, joined to the ring and the lower and upper annular plates by closed seams, for guiding material to the openings in the ring.
 2. A filler unit according to claim 1, the filler members, ring, and lower and upper annular plates defining enclosed spaces within the filler unit between the openings in the ring, and a filling material filling said spaces.
 3. A filler unit according to claim 1, the filler unit comprising a register for complimenting means disposed on the drum for cooperation therewith to accurately place the filler unit in the drum.
 4. A filler unit according to claim 2, the filler unit comprising a register for complimenting means disposed on the drum for cooperation therewith to accurately place the filler unit in the drum.
 5. A filler unit according to claim 1, and means for sealing the filler unit iN the drum disposed along the inner edges of the lower and upper annular plates.
 6. A filler unit according to claim 2, and means for sealing the filler unit in the drum disposed along the inner edges of the lower and upper annular plates.
 7. A filler unit according to claim 3, and means for sealing the filler unit in the drum disposed along the inner edges of the lower and upper annular plates.
 8. A filler unit according to claim 4, and means for sealing the filler unit in the drum disposed along the river edges of the lower and upper annular plates.
 9. In a centrifugal separator comprising: a. a rotatably mounted separator drum including a lower body member and an upper body member which are releasably secured together, and having discharge passageways at the radially outward periphery thereof at circumferentially spaced intervals, at least some of said discharge passageways having discharge nozzles mounted therein the improvement which comprises a removable one piece filler unit for counteracting tendency of material to collect on the inner wall of the drum between the discharge passageways, the filler unit comprising: b. a ring disposed in the drum along said radially outward periphery, having openings therein in communicating with said discharge nozzles, said nozzles extending sealingly into said bores, c. a lower annular plate conforming to an outer portion of the inner surface of the lower body laid up directly on said outer portion and joined to the ring by a closed seam, d. a seal between the inner edge of the lower annular plate and the inner surface of the lower body member, e. an upper annular plate conforming to an outer portion of the inner surface of the upper body member laid up directly on the last mentioned outer portion and joined to the ring by a closed seam, f. a seal between the inner edge of the upper annular plate and the inner surface of the upper body member, g. filler members disposed between adjacent openings in the ring joined to the ring and the lower and upper annular plates by closed seams, for guiding material to the openings in the ring.
 10. Centrifugal separator according to claim 9, the filler members, ring, and lower and upper annular plates defining enclosed spaces within the filler unit between the openings in the ring, and a filling material filling said spaces.
 11. Centrifugal separator according to claim 9, the filler unit comprising a register, the drum having means complimenting the register, the register and complimenting means cooperating to accurately place the filler unit in the drum.
 12. Centrifugal separator according to claim 10, the filler unit comprising a register, the drum having means complimenting the register, the register and complimenting means cooperating to accurately place the filler unit in the drum. 